University of the Pacific
School of International Studies
Spring 2006
______________________________
PERSPECTIVES ON WORLD HISTORY
INTL 81
T, R 1:00 – 2:50
Classroom Building 170
Professor Arturo Giraldez
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9-10am, 5-6pm; and by appointment
agiraldez@pacific.edu
(209) 946-2911
WPC 143 ( in the new wing)
Professor Greg Rohlf
Office Hours: Wednesday 1-3 pm; Thursday 10am - 12pm; and by appointment
grohlf@pacific.edu
(209) 946-2804
WPC 237 (across from the Jacoby Center)
Course Description
This course will introduce you to the civilizations and cultures of the world since the beginning
of history. Our study will focus on two kinds of causes of historical change: Impersonal, “structural”
forces (ecology or the economy, for example) and human forces (individuals and ideas, for example.)
We will consider regions of the world from the royal courts of Europe to the fortresses of Africa and
the pyramids of the Americas. You will learn about crucial events and turning points in world history
as well as processes and patterns of long term change. Our readings will include a textbook,
specialized monographs and a number of primary documents. Although our focus is on mastering the
basics of continuity and change on each of the continents, we will also examine how perspectives
shape the writing of history.
This course satisfies General Education Requirement II-B, fundamental human concerns.
Learning Objectives
After you have completed all the work for this class and participated actively in discussion, you will
grasp the geographical, ecological and biological structures of the human story on earth.
have the fundamental historical literacy of epochs, history-makers, empires, ideologies, wars
and turning points that is routinely expected of anyone claiming an international education and
aspiring to an international career.
have an historical context for understanding the modern world and its peoples.
have an informed perspective on timeless human concerns.
begin to develop the ability to choose between conflicting historical accounts.
have reflected on and assessed philosophical, religious and historical perspectives on
fundamental human concerns.
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Texts for purchase at university bookstore
Duiker,W.J. and J. Spielvogel, The Essential World History Second Edition
Fernandez-Armesto, Felipe, Civilizations
Spence, Jonathan, Emperor of China
Armstrong, Karen, The Battle for God
Rampolla, Mary Lynn, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History
Reserve Readings will be placed on E-Reserve on the library homepage.
Bring your own copy of E-Reserve Readings to class meetings.
Class meetings
This course has a lecture and discussion format and is team taught by Professors Giraldez and Rohlf.
Each class meeting will begin in Classroom Building 170. Bring the day’s book(s) or reserve reading
to class. On Thursdays, we will break into two smaller sections for discussion. Sections will be
assigned during the first week of the course and will be reshuffled after Spring Break. Your Section
Professor will evaluate your performance in discussion.
Research Paper
This assignment will introduce you to library research and will encourage you to think about different
perspectives on history. You will be assigned a research question. You will consult at least two recent
scholarly articles (since 1980), two scholarly monographs (specialized academic books) and at least
two primary documents. You will write a 10 page paper (not including bibliography) in which you
discuss various explanations or theories that answer your research question. Your conclusion will
explain which answer to your research question you find most convincing based on your analysis of
the evidence.
1. Research Questions distributed – on January 26
2. Library Workshop – February 7
3. Analysis of main sources and preliminary bibliography – due February 21
4. Individual Research Conferences with faculty – Week of March 7
5. Final papers – due April 27
Preparation for Class Meetings
Textbook Preparation
For each class meeting for which Duiker and Spielvogel readings are assigned, complete the
chapter quizzes, print them out, three hole punch them and keep them in a binder that you will
submit for credit. You must also complete all focus questions (which appear at the beginning
of each chapter for each class meeting for which a D&S chapter is assigned. This daily work
will prepare you for exams and quizzes, which will include questions from the CD and focus
questions from the book. Remember that all written work submitted must be your own.
Other Readings
Reading questions will be distributed in class for Civilizations, Emperor of China, and Battle for
God. Bring a copy of E-Reserve Readings to class.
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Rules
1. Quizzes, writing assignments and other in-class work cannot be made up. No make-ups. Late
work not accepted
2. Do not consume food or drink carbonated beverages during class meetings.
3. All exams must be completed on the day they are scheduled.
4. Revisions to this syllabus will be distributed in class and take precedence over this document.
5. Use of wireless devices is prohibited during all class meetings and exams
6. Copies of student work may be retained to assess how the learning objectives of the course are
being met.
7. Please bring errors or inconsistencies in the syllabus to our attention.
Schedule
Library Workshop
Exam I
Reading Questions for Civilizations due
Reading Questions on Battle for God due
Research Paper due
Reading Questions on Emperor of China due
Exam II
Grading
Daily work (includes attendance, focus questions,
and CD-based homework)
Quizzes (4 X 10 points)
Reading Questions (3 x 20)
Exam I
Research Paper
Exam II
Tuesday, February 7
Tuesday, March 2
Tuesday, April 4
Tuesday, April 18
Thursday, April 27
Thursday, May 2
Thursday, May 11, 12:00 noon
100 points
40 points
60 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
Honor Code
The University Honor Code is an essential element in academic integrity. It is a violation of the Honor
Code to submit all or part of someone else’s work or ideas as your own. Submitting another student’s
homework as your own work is a violation. Writing homework together with another student but
signing your own name as the single author is a violation. Other forms of violations of the Honor
Code include lying to a faculty member, talking during an exam and falsifying documents. If you
violate the Honor Code, you will receive zero credit for the work. Violations of the Honor Code will
lower your final grade and may result in failure of the course. You also may be expelled from the
university. This expulsion would then appear on your UOP transcript. A complete statement of the
Honor Code may be found in the Student Handbook, Tiger Lore, pp. 41-43.
Students With Disabilities
We would like to hear from anyone who has a documented disability which may require some
modification of seating, testing, or other class requirements so that appropriate arrangements may be
made. Please see one of us after class or during office hours. Students are responsible to complete
all necessary procedures to arrange accommodation of disabilities.
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READING
SCHEDULE
T
17
Class Introduction
TH
19
Duiker and Spielvogel (D&S), Preface, “A Note to…” and “Themes for…” AND Ch. 1
Focus questions, CD questions due
T
24
Civilizations 1-56
TH
26
D&S, Ch. 2
Focus questions, CD questions due
Bring A Pocket Guide to Writing in History
Quiz I
T
31
Civilizations, 56-98
Bring A Pocket Guide to Writing in History
February
TH
2
D&S, Ch. 3
Focus questions, CD questions due
T
7
Library Workshop: meet in library classroom
Civilizations, (99-145)
TH
9
D&S, Ch. 4
Focus questions, CD questions due
T
14
Civilizations, (121-172)
Th
16
D&S, Ch. 5
Focus questions, CD questions due
Bring A Pocket Guide to Writing in History
T
21
Civilizations, (173-228)
Analysis of main sources and preliminary bibliography due
Quiz II
Th
23
D&S, Ch. 6
Focus questions, CD questions due
T
28
Civilizations, (229-274)
Th
2
EXAM
T
7
Individual Research Conferences with Faculty
Th
9
Individual Research Conferences with Faculty
March
4
Spring Break
T
21
D&S, Ch. 7
Focus questions, CD questions due
Civilizations, (275-319)
Th
23
D&S, Ch. 8
E-Reserve Reading “How Africa Became Black” from Guns, Germs and Steel
Focus questions, CD questions due
Civilizations, (322-378)
T
28
D&S, Ch. 9
Focus questions, CD questions due
Civilizations (379-434)
Quiz III
Th
30
D&S, Ch. 10
Focus questions, CD questions due
Civilizations (435-468)
April
T
4
Civilizations Reading Questions due
Th
6
D&S, Ch. 11
Focus questions, CD questions due
T
11
D&S, Ch. 12
Focus questions, CD questions due
Begin reading The Battle For God, Part 1 (1-98)
Th
13
D&S, Ch. 13
Focus questions, CD questions due
Continue reading The Battle for God
Quiz IV
T
18
E-Reserve Reading The Scientific Revolution excerpt
The Battle For God Reading Questions due
Th
20
D&S, Ch. 14
Focus questions, CD questions due
T
25
D&S, Ch. 15
Focus questions, CD questions due
Begin reading Emperor of China
Th
27
Continue reading Emperor of China
5
May
T
2
D&S, Ch. 16
Reading questions on Emperor of China due, CD questions due
TH
4
D&S, Ch. 17
Focus questions, CD questions due
Finish The Battle for God
T
9
Review
Exam II : Thursday, May 11, 12:00 Noon
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